Asgeirr pulled the furs about his broad shoulders then sat before the fire, weary eyes stared past the yellow flames that danced wildly in the winds that swept past the rocks and crevices that surrounded the camp, he uttered a simple blessing for the falling of the fresh snow, it would cover his peoples tracks, nevertheless he had given orders for the Sentries to remain vigilant for it would not be till near close of the new dawn before their tracks were covered completely. He sighed deeply as he stared past the flames and into the darkness of the past, for nearly four seasons now he had led his people along the mountainous Terrain that was their homeland.

Though they had eventually been driven away from their villages, they were by no means refuges, for four seasons his Warriors had harassed the enemy, disrupted they're supply lines and added to they're misery aided by the fierce winter weather and the near impossible ability to maneuver large forces along the mountains rocky passages. His people were hardy, strong and proud, but four seasons of running battles were taking its toil, the little ones had long since lost their youth and the old ones longed for either a place to rest their bones for more then just a night, or longed to return to the burial caves of their Ancestors.

As long as there was breath to be drawn within their bodies, he nor his Warriors would ever give up the fight, but four seasons of constant battle and the dwindling losses of Warriors irreplaceable had made him wiser to the plight of all his people, and he found himself at the crossroads of either finding a place to put down roots and rebuild Families, or his people, his Clan disappearing from existence. Within a days walk now from the stronghold of Esper, it had been decided earlier that eve, by a Council meeting that an Envoy would be sent to seek audience with the Queen and permanent refuge sought, begrudgingly he had agreed, but refused to send an Envoy, stating their case would be better received if one Leader stood before the other and pleaded their cause as it should be. Despite the Councils protest that he should risk himself, he held his ground and told them that short of subjugation, he would return with word of a place for them to make home.

It had taken nearly to the eve of the following day to traverse the Terrain, but now he stood on a mountain next to a lone winter pine tree overlooking the stronghold of Esper, his breath caught in his throat as he surveyed the grandeur of the fortified City. He turned his weathered face skyward at the sound of the Snow Hawks screeching and lifted his muscular left arm for the bird of prey to land, cooing softly to his feathered companion as she carefully landed on his arm, her sharp talons gripping into the furs that covered his shoulder and bicep. 

He laughed heartily as the Snow Hawk chirped and fussed and he spoke with the bird as he would any other being, [i]"Now you are sounding as if you are one of the Council, my winged friend, aye I intend to go in, the need of the Clan is far too great, we cannot survive another winter, and this one to come by all indications looks to be the worst yet...you my friend will remain here, little doubt room would there be enough for the spreading of your wings...and I need you out here to return to the Clan and show the way back here to my Warriors should you not see me again in two days time...now go my friend, it draws late and I must make it to the gates before there drawn close for the eve"[/i].